December Already???

I have really been bad at keeping up with this lately. With all the Christmas commotion I just haven't found the time to add to this. Here is a quick run down of what we have been up to.

I guess I will start with Thanksgiving: During the Thanksgiving break we tackled yet another painting project. We decided since Joe's office would be closed for a few days we would paint 4 rooms. However it turned out to be a little bigger project than we had anticipated. We ate drank and slept paint for 5 days straight. We peeled wallpaper and washed walls and then painted our little hearts out. The kids were so good they made tents played games watched movies with popcorn and just hung out in the lobby while we painted. All in all I think we may have chosen a color that is a little too dark. We will see after Christmas. They are putting in some different flooring. I am hoping that will lighten it up a bit. ( I don't have a before picture but think floor to ceiling 80's wall paper and you will have a good idea of what it was before.)

We shared Thanksgiving dinner with a family from our Church. We had all the usual yummy holiday food. Complete with the fabulous turkey that Joe cooks every year. And we had a large variety of yummy pies. And to think I wonder where those extra pounds I am adding to myself come from during this time of year! We have a lot to be thankful for this year. It was nice to spend a day and reflect on the many blessing we have received this year.

We put together a work Christmas dinner. Which turned out well. We served a nice dinner for Joe's employee's. I bit off a bit more than I could chew with sick kids, and lots of holiday things to attend. I was so grateful to have my friend Lori help me out. She made the rolls and some fabulous Christmas cookies for me as well as letting me borrow all of her bowls and platters etc. She also had the cutest idea for a hot cocoa bar for dessert. It turned out really fun with ALL of the fun things you can add to hot cocoa. We found a very tasty homemade cocoa recipe online that was so yummy!

I have to say I think my blood got nice and thin in Kentucky. It has been in the negative numbers for over a week and is going to continue. Brrrrrr, I thought for sure at -20 the kids would not have school. ( Not the case! We got spoiled in Kentucky. At the thought of snow they would cancel. Needless to say the girls were quite disappointed they had to go. I felt bad about sending them on the cold bus, so I took them to school. I don't think I will make that mistake again. It is darn cold out!! Plus they huddle on the bus right???? Due to this awesome weather we now have a permanent pet rabbit in the HOUSE! We felt so sorry for her outside plus we couldn't keep her water from freezing! She thinks she has won the lottery and the kids actually do interact with her a lot more.

I had a bit of a run in with the garage door! It hasn't been working properly and we had already had one ordered. ( apparently a week too late!) It didn't go up all the way but it did go above the back window. I no longer have this piece on the back of my van! Maybe SANTA can bring me this for Christmas!

So in review of what I have written it doesn't sound like I have been all that busy. But somehow my time gets whittled away. We are officially done Christmas shopping. ( It is a good thing too, since Christmas is only 4 days away!) We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of SANTA. The girls ask daily (almost hourly) if they can open just ONE present. We are also excited to go home and visit family. Hopefully the weather will cooperate enough that we can do that.

Well with my recent "Lack of Blogging" I highly doubt there will be another update before Christmas!
I hope you all have a safe and happy holiday. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Random Mommy Moments

In lou of the up coming election Kaitlyn has been hearing the voting chatter from school and such. She came home and said " Mom if Obama wins he is going to MAKE us go to school at night AND on Saturdays!"
I haven't heard that one yet!

Today I was at shop-ko and I lost Madelyn, or at least I thought I had. My cart was piled high with paper towel diapers and T.P. And I had my phone glued to my ear. I was frantically calling her name and searching clothing racks, looking everywhere EXCEPT for the front of the cart where she was hanging on obediently wondering what the fuss was all about.

Jenna has been extremely caught up in a small discovery she found today. "MOM I have a space between my teeth!" Mom:" We all have space between are teeth. Jenna:" But I have NEVER had space between my teeth before......"

I sure love these little munchkins!!

I had just finished telling my Visiting teachers how good Madelyn was. That she doesn't really destroy things like my others did. I came down stairs to see SOFA ART!! Yup with a pen! I think while the words were coming from my mouth she was happily scribbling all over my couch!! ( Thankfully it is brown and most of it has come out.....or at least it blends in with the dirty spots!)

Madelyn's new haircut

Madelyn got her first official haircut last week. I think it turned out cute and the "Say Cheese" face is an added bonus!

Fit for a Queen

So with all of that snow we got, Joe and the girls were busy. Or should I say mostly Joe and the girls were busy playing. They spent several hours working on it. What a great Daddy! He even has to make girlie snow forts! Poor guy!

I must also add that this was my kind of snow storm. I was so bummed that it snowed that much so early in the year. It was perfect though. It snowed over the weekend, we played in it, and by Thursday the next week it was gone! Apparently that much snow is not a common occurrence here in Billings. So Jamie S. you could totally live here!!

Snow, Snow and more SNOW

So on Friday it started to snow, by the end of the day this is what we had.

By Saturday we had a little more snow and it just kept on snowing.

By this morning we woke up to THIS! They even canceled church this morning.

Joe and the girls had fun making a sledding hill in our yard to go down. They played outside for nearly 2 hours. And it is still snowing. We could see up to 9 more inches today. Apparently my idea of a MILD winter is a bit different than those that live here in Montana. This is nuts! The kids have loved it though. It seems a bit early for me. Now that there is snow I am ready for Christmas decorations and the new year! It might be a long 3 months till Christmas!

And to think just one week ago this is what we were enjoying!

More random thoughts

I have been meaning to post this for a while. Joe built a little playhouse for Madelyn out of her closet. It turned out so cute, and she really loves it. I have a video of her dancing circles in the play house singing "My playhouse, My playhouse... too cute.Joe is getting quite handy at making things. In fact we felt sorry for our poor rabbit when it started to snow. She didn't have anywhere to get out of the weather. So Joe built her a nesting box so she could get out of the wet and cold. Meanwhile Sally the bunny got to hang out in the house and be spoiled in this container. I kind of felt bad sending her back outside.
And while it was getting chilly outside many little critters were trying to find a warm spot to hide. This is what I found on my back step.

The girls took bowls out side to make "Ice cream snow sundae's". What kid doesn't eat snow! I am hoping after seeing a mouse run all over their sundae maybe they will change their minds.

Random thoughts......

It is official I am getting worse and worse at blogging. I am now so behind and have so many things I wish I would have recorded. 

  I guess I will start with the highlight of my day. As many of you are aware it is general conference weekend. A time to hear the words of our beloved prophet, and spend time with your family. As the Saturday afternoon session started the primary children's choir started singing I am a child of God. The girls were upstairs playing and had sat through most of the first session. As they started to sing Madelyn came running out of her room and almost forgot to stop at the top of the stairs. Grinning from ear to ear saying "dats my song"!! She came down and did not move while the kids sang that song. Kaitlyn and Jenna weren't far behind. 

  I guess I just found myself really loving my family this weekend. We went on a little family outing last night with some friends. We thought it was A corn maze, turned out there were 3. They had so many fun things a big slide, a train pulled by a 4 wheeler, these Go cart/bikes and a petting zoo.  I remember sitting on the train holding Madelyn and hearing all of the little kiddos laughing hysterically from all of the bumps. the sound of laughter filled the sky. (It really was a lot of fun!) I honestly don't remember the last time I laughed like that, and really just enjoyed myself. My kids are growing up so fast, it makes me so sad. 

  I realized today that I think we have reached the next phase in things. As Joe headed off to the priesthood session, ALL us girls went shopping! (Well window shopping at Toys r us!) My 2 oldest girls have left the dolly and make believe phase for make up, Hannah Montana, and electronics I know nothing about! I kept saying this is fun.... and they would reply "yeah Madelyn would really like that Mom"!  Just the other day Kaitlyn said with a look of disgust "Mom... Your WEIRD"! I am sure it isn't the last time I will hear that, but it stung just a little. I realized I only have a few more years before I won't KNOW anything, and won't be COOL enough to hang out with them anymore.  So for now I am trying to savor every moment I have.....

I'm MOVING....

Okay not really but if the bugs in this state get any bigger, I am moving!!The giant caterpiller like thing the kids found. I think it might be a tomato worm, or at least that is what we called them as kids. The spider, I had the priviledge of finding in my garage! It was huge. I think it is a wolf spider. Whatever kind of spider it is it is huge and creepy. By far the largest spider I have ever seen in nature. The funny things is that Joe has been telling the girls that if they kill bugs outside, they will have to eat them. (of course not really) So he let it go!! Can you say NIGHTMARES..... I really hate bugs. Especially HUGE ONES!!!

School Already.....

Where did the summer go! I cannot believe it is over. School started today for Kaitlyn and Jenna. That just leaves little Madelyn at home with me. We had a great day. I couldn't help but to get a little teary eyed as I said good bye on the playground this morning. My kids are growing up so fast! They both kind of had that deer in the headlights look too, as they turned and looked at me before they went in. It was a little different this year. Kaitlyn started in yet another school. Because of our move we were not able to register them until just a weeks ago. We found out who her teacher was the day before school started. Fortunately, we did not miss the kindergarten open house for Jenna. That was really good for her to see where she was going, and who her teacher was. To our surprise there are 2 little girls that she already knows in her class. YEAH!

I remember when I picked Kaitlyn up from Kindergarten her first day. She climbed in the car and said "That was the best day ever", and then she broke into tears.(Is she my kid or what!) She was so overwhelmed. Jenna was much the same only she fought it a little harder. She saw me and gave me a huge hug. I thought I was going to have to carry her on my leg to the car! She was a little teary but did great!

We will be adding the bus to our school adventure soon. But for now School was overwhelming enough for both of them without worrying about the bus too.

My little Kindergartner

My 2nd Grader

And my Future Kindergartner

Aren't they cute!

** Notice Kentuckians: it is already jacket weather here!!

Celebrating Kindergarten

We started somewhat of a tradition when Kaitlyn was getting ready to go to Kindergarten. We "celebrate" by going out to dinner. With Kaitlyn we had Wicks pizza and celebrated with the Borders. This year we went to Red Robin to celebrate kindergarten with Jenna. Red Robin is a yummy hamburger place here in billings. It was a tasty treat complete with milkshakes, and Jenna was thrilled. It was yummy that is until they brought us a basket of fries with a fried grasshopper on top of it!!! Gross!!
The things that really grosses me out is that I know they DIDN'T run right back and drain the grease that apparently they are cooking bugs in. So that means they continued to serve fries cooked in bug infested grease! Yes, I am sure the temperature is hot enough that any creepy little germs would be killed, but it's still very gross! The Manager was nice enough to buy our family one persons meal. He also seemed very impressed that we were not furious and yelling at him! Even though this was pretty gross, I was more grossed out and furious with McDonald's when they served me a RAW chicken club sandwich and I took a bite!! They were completely rude in dealing with it too! So my question is what is the grossest thing you have found in your FOOD!!!

I am so behind....

So I am not sure what happens to my time. I have good intentions and the next thing I know a whole month has gone by again!

We are all moved in! I am afraid my house pictures are pretty boring. The color doesn't show up nearly as well as the magenta! We painted mostly white ( I am pretty plain I know, but it looks so clean!) The wall that was Magenta we painted a "Smokey oyster" which turned out somewhat of a taupe color. We still have no decor up. After feverishly painting for every minute of the day for a solid 7 days, I can't bring myself to put holes in my pretty walls just yet.

I got a sweet deal that only a Mom could really appreciate! This LG Tromm washer and dryer set sells for $1700. I got this for a total price of $963.00!! Thank you HOME DEPOT!
Home depot has a price match guarantee which they will match the price and then take an additional 10% off. Well Sears had this set on sale for 15 % off . Home depot matched it and gave me another 10% off. Then I opened a home depot card which saved me another 10%!! Can I just say I love them!! I washed all 3 of my girls beds in 1 load!! Amazing!

This post would not be complete without adding a picture of Joe's "Man Cave"!

Right now it is also fully furnished with yard sale furniture ( Bye bye Mauve couch! The coke machine came with the house and Joe was so bummed that it didn't work! As luck would have it the day we closed on our house, as we were picking up our babysitter, we saw the Pepsi machine at a yard sale! Needless to say it goes quite nicely in the "Man Cave"!

A sneak peek....

We are moved in and starting to see beyond the cardboard! I love NOT hauling groceries and 3 children up 3 flights of stairs! In fact I turned in the keys today and I was so excited to say good bye forever (I hope) to apartment living. I can't help but to think how very blessed I am! It was quite a chore to move out of the 3rd floor, mostly just time consuming wating for the elevator! We are so blessed with great friends that came and helped us. THANK YOU GUYS!!

Last week we painted almost our entire house! The people that lived here before us patched the walls with the wrong color of paint in almost every room! ( Very Annoying) And yes they really did have one wall that was magenta. The entire living room was grey! Did I mention they loved sponge painting as well.... Needless to say I have had my fill of painting for quite a while, we even painted the vaulted ceiling!! I can say this is one of the few homes that we looked at, that didn't have "MT" blue paint, somewhere on the premises. Can you guess what color we painted......just kidding.

Here are some of the before pictures. And again my camera doesn't do them justice, you will just have to believe me it really was magenta!

Our new house!

Bad news grey walls and sponge paint job (yuck)

Magenta Be GONE!! ( the primer)

I will post some "After" pictures as soon as I find the camera.......

Can't catch my breath

We are still alive in "Hannah Montana" ! I can't believe I have posted nothing since Father's Day! Life has been so crazy, more details to come, but we just purchased our very FIRST home on Friday!! We are so excited and I promise I will post more. But for now we are frantically trying to get the ENTIRE inside of the house painted by this Friday. (Magenta just wasn't working for me!:) Anyway I promise to catch up on all our crazy adventures very soon! But for now visions of paint and empty boxes that need to be filled are taking over my thoughts!!!

Fathers Day

I guess I better update just a little. I am getting so bad about blogging!! Whenever I get a minute I try to catch up on all of your blogs, and the next thing you know it's midnight!! 

  Fathers day was unbeatable this year! We put an offer in on another home (offender free this time!)  They accepted it on Father's day. The funniest thing is that after countering a few times Joe decided to ask if they would throw in this old Coke machine in the garage. I am not even sure if it works. But he was so excited about it, especially since that was the offer that finally sealed the deal!  

 Anyway more details to come we are still doing inspections, blah blah blah. But hopefully it will be official by the end of July. Our favorite part is that it is on a .5 acre lot. Most of the homes in billings our on about .16 of an acre. It also has a lot behind it that has been designated for a park. It isn't, and probably won't be developed. But it means no one can build in your backyard, which we like that idea. Lots of space to RUN which we spend nearly every day at the park right now and sometimes twice a day!! I swear kids are like walking dogs! Let's just say it is in every ones best interest if the kids get out and run for a few minutes! I think the people that live below us might throw a party when we leave!! 

On that note another fun Father's day activity was to go hiking!! Joe has really been excited to get out into the Mountains and do some hiking. The girls loved it and I have to admit it was pretty fun. I was not so excited about the idea, I was envisioning CARRYING 3 kids back down the mountain! That didn't sound to exciting to me. But they all did great, and it was a beautiful day to be enjoying nature. After hiking we stopped in Red Lodge where there is  a fun candy store called the "Candy emporium." They have tons of bushel baskets full of all different kinds of candy. You can get a bag and pick what you want. The kids love it but it is $6.00 a pound. We told the girls they could pick 10 pieces each. Well we had a little trouble counting....OOPS, and ended up spending $15.00 on CANDY!  I guess we will chalk that one up to making memories....

 

Blessings in disguise

There have been so many things lately that I feel so blessed. One of the biggest things I have to be thankful for happened just last week. Joe and I put an offer in on a house! The next morning Joe and I woke up with the worst feeling about it. We started doing more research, to find that directly across the street a registered S. Offender resides. There was a park right behind that house that my children would have walked nearly in there backyard to get too. We were able to cancel our offer immediately. We felt so blessed to be able to have found out this information before it was to late. We have both decided to be in less of a hurry to find a home and to research it to it's fullest extent before our next offer goes in!

Then on our trip over memorial day, Madelyn had been complaining of her nose hurting. I figured with the dry air, and change of altitude it was probably nothing and left it at that. WELL after probably 2 weeks of this off and on occasional "a nose hurt". Kaitlyn was getting her dressed for church when she came and said "Madelyn has a pink thing in her nose". WHAT? Joe and I went to investigate and sure enough there was a pink thing in her nose......

Fortunately we were able to pull it out with tweezers. Poor kid. I am starting to wonder about my mothering skills. This little one is all of a sudden giving me a run for my money.

A day in the life of Madelyn:

1. Poor a whole box of rice krispies on the floor because they taste better off the floor.

2. Stick a paper clip up your nose!

3. Help set the table and grab an entire pitcher full of grape cool aid off the counter onto my head and all over the floor.

4. While bathing and taking care of the grape cool aid she grabbed the towel out of my hand I thought to dry her face, Nope just to put it in the bath tub to "wash" with.

5. Other misc. "FUN" things to do when mommy has her back turned. Take out all the wipes one by one and scatter everywhere. Climb on everything! We love to rip paper right now too. (that is fun especially when they are Mommy's bills! Oh yes and bathroom fun we love water, and somehow can manage to climb onto the sink and help our self whenever we want. She also helps her self to the fridge often. Can 3 go gurts be considered dinner....

I love this little munchkin and I am so grateful that the paper clip ordeal didn't end up being worse. I feel blessed it was only coolaid and not hot soup. And well, her climbing and water skills should come in handy at a later time in life right??

Madelyn's TWO

Madelyn had her second birthday. I can hardly believe that she is 2. It has gone so fast and she is getting so big. I love hearing her talk and start trying to put sentences together. She absolutely adores her sisters. She is a great little helper and loves doing laundry and wiping things with a cloth. She can also be quite messy, mixing all sorts of things into cups, or helping herself to an entire box of apple jacks, by dumping it in the middle of the floor. ( somehow it tastes better all dumped out.) I think they know when they turn two though. She said just days after turning two, " I want juice......NOW!" We love her and are so glad that she is a part of our family.



For her birthday we had a small little get together with some friends in the park. It was a fabulous Saturday afternoon (minus the wind). When all of a sudden the sprinklers turned on! 3 o' clock on a Saturday afternoon and the sprinklers turn on! The kids had a ball! We had bubbles, cake and ice cream and a water party all at once. The kids were a complete mess when we left, soaked with sand everywhere, but happy!

I can't seem to locate my pictures of her party! I will post them later when I find them.

Memorial Day Weekend

Over Memorial Day we thought we would try out the trip back home. I realize now, ( which is a little late) we are not as "close" as I thought we were! But there is something to be said for being able to drive, and stop when you want(or NEED) to stop. We went to Pocatello to visit Joe's family. This will probably be the last time we are all able to get together for a few years. Joe's brother is headed off to dental school!
We had a great time spending time with everyone! We had a lot of fun in fact maybe a little to much. It took us a week to recover from our vacation. We couldn't stop talking, and each night got later and later! It was so fun to catch up on everyone and the goings on in each of there lives. We had a wonderful visit and can't wait to come back . Big thanks to Dan and Julie for letting us stay with you! Here are a few pictures of all the girls in their dresses Grandma Yates gave them for Christmas.

The Yates Paparazzi catching it all in action!

Mother's Day gifts

I can finally post this, because I finally delivered them. I found this cute idea on sugardoodle. (I am an idea thief) These were so easy and turned out so cute. I couldn't help but post them. To make our mothers appreciate it even more. My friend Carrie and I made them while our husbands were at her house for an Elders Quorum activity. We had 5 kids here 4 under the age of 5. The kids painted little animals, and we tried to paint. We did pretty well I thought. It was a fun night, and considering all things pretty productive too. Thanks Carrie for the idea!!

Okay drum roll please it only took me over a month to finally post the site where we got the directions from. (sorry guys I'm a little slow these days!) THE PROJECT

Mother's Day

I am a little behind in blogging land and am trying to get caught back up.

I can't go without putting a little note for Mother's day though. My girls and hubby are too cute! Kaitlyn and Jenna were so excited about Mother's day. It is fun to see them so excited. I think the little plants and trinkets from school started a week before Mother's day. Kaitlyn made a "list" of things she wanted to do. I indulged some but quickly took "Chucke Cheese" for Mother's day off her list! She did request some frosting and cookies with strawberry's so she could whip up her "special recipe". A little scary coming from a 7 year old! This is her masterpiece. She calls it her Volcano recipe...

Chocolate chip cookies, with lots and lots of frosting in between, stacked together, with a strawberry on top!

Joe made me a fabulous dinner the night before flat bread fajitas. They were really good. Then Jenna's idea was to make breakfast in bed with tulips. (I think she thinks tulips are roses.) That was also yummy cold cereal with muffins, and roses! She was so sweet the roses lasted about a week, and she was so sad when they started to wilt. She took it very personal. Madelyn joined in by being the entertainment. She was so wound up and being so silly all morning. I just love my little family, they are so darn cute!!

Is this child abuse?

Kaitlyn wrote a paper today in school about 3 wishes....

I wish for a small puppy, because I love pets and animals.

I wish for a kitten that is cute, because they are nice animals.

I wish that I can stop sucking my thumb so I can get a toy, because I don't want my DAD to break all the bones in my mouth!

( We have really been trying to help her understand why it is important to stop sucking her thumb. It is starting to affect the bone structure in her mouth. This comes from a conversation about why her teeth don't touch together like other peoples, and why her jaw hurts when she wakes up after sucking her thumb all night!) Poor Kid, I think I scared her to death. But she is still sucking her thumb!

Beautiful Girls

Today was a first in our family. We actually got ready for church and had a half an hour to spare! We decided to take a few pictures of the kids. I cannot believe how fast they grow up. It really dawned on me tonight when I put Madelyn in her pajamas. They were the pajamas that Kaitlyn wore when she was 2. Yes it is sad, my baby turns 2 in 2 weeks! Where does the time go!




Kaitlyn: I cannot believe she is 7. Today she has been very concerned about a family in our ward that was not at church today. I thought it was because the lady teaches her class, but it turns out she has a bit of a CRUSH on her oldest SON! ( I am sooo not ready for this!)She was saying her prayers and asked that Heavenly Father would help this family that they could be at church next week. She ended her prayer with the biggest grin on her face! We all just started laughing. I wish I had a better relationship with Kaitlyn. She has been a demanding little sole ever since she wanted to come to earth! I think she is 7 going on 17, and isn't afraid to step up and speak her mind. However there are always those precious Mommy moments that make you realize that it is all worth while. A hug, an I love you, or moments where we are on the same page. She is a great big sister and a good helper. She is still always singing a song. Her new favorite thing is to take a shower, because I can turn on the bathroom fan and she can sing her little heart out, without having to worry about bothering the neighbors! She is struggling so much right now with sucking her thumb. It is such a habit for her, and has gotten even worse since we moved. We have tried to set goals for 1 week. She flat out can't do it. Even if she makes it all day, at night it goes right in. I have tried everything I can think of. It is so hard to watch her struggle with this and know that my options are limited. We are in the process of fitting her for a mouth appliance that will hopefully help her.



Jenna: (Notice her very long straight hair) She loves to straighten her hair! It is the only time the poor kiddo gets to BRUSH her hair. We don't do it very often but when we do, she combs and combs her hair! She is getting so grown up. I am going to have a hard time parting with Jenna next year when she goes to Kindergarten. She has been so sad because Madelyn couldn't say her name. Finally Madelyn came up with something that resembled enough of her name for her satisfaction. She calls her "Nanny", and Kaitlyn "Cake". That was a great day! We had tears after every prayer that Madelyn said, and couldn't say her name.

They are finally becoming pretty good buddies!
Jenna helped her make a laundry basket bed while Mommy was sick, so they could make vegging out in front of the t.v. just a little more fun! I have an awesome friend that has been so willing to watch my girls while I help out at the office a few hours a week. Jenna LOVES going there. It has been such a blessing for me. I think Jenna had the hardest time adjusting without any friends. So it makes her day to go play with 2 darling little girls, and be the " BIG SISTER" for the day to all of them! (Thank you so much Carrie!)

Madelyn: She has grown so much lately. She is really loving singing songs. Her favorites are twinkle twinkle"Inky", wheels on the bus, and the 2 songs daddy always teaches them sneaky snake, and the bee. There isn't much that gets by her. She has discovered after climbing 3 flights of stairs 3 times a day it is much easier to hitch a ride with Mom. It doesn't matter how full my hands are she insists on being carried! I can't seem to let this one grow up though. I still rock her every night for a few minutes. ( she calls it bocky bye) I so love that time with her. I am a little frustrated with her sisters who have so rudely taught her to burp! I keep trying to remind them that princesses do not burp! But with a 7 year old in the house, bodily noises are the funniest thing on the planet hands down! At least she will say excuse me now! She also picked up this disgusting little habit......

Oh we love her! I think she knows she is about to turn two! Just last week she tried out the drop down roll around, kick em tantrum thing! You gotta love the terrible 2's, however I think the 3's are worse! Here is another funny picture, she certainly takes after Jenna in the fashion world. She loves SHOES, and picking out her clothes herself. Here she is sporting Capri's with her Winter BOOTS.

Colors and more colors....

So I only wish my camera could capture the true colors. We have since found a true fuchsia colored home, lime green (borderline florescent) Pam you would love this! Rust orange seems to be a newer color of choice. And there is one street that reminds me of Easter eggs, bold Easter pastels!
I just wanted to add that the pictures of the blue houses, I didn't have to drive far. They are literally everywhere! I think we will make a "Montana Blue" scrapbook, for all of you to view when you come visit me! And of course we will give you the LIVE tour as well, it is much better in person!

Oh yes, and the pink blazer is classic! It actually has a black and white picture of someone that takes up nearly the entire back window!!

Church

So today was our 3rd Sunday at our ward. The first Sunday we were here was stake conference. The second Sunday we went to our ward and then it was general conference. The 2nd Sunday we were in our ward we spoke in sacrament meeting. And today Joe was called to be the 2nd councilor in the Elders Quorum Presidency, and I was called to be the first councilor in the Young Women's organization. ( Those were some talks don't you think!) Our ward is made up of a lot of elderly people and a lot of widows. We are one of very few younger couples in our ward. We are both excited about getting involved in the ward, and apparently we are needed!

The Montana "BLUES"

We have been doing a lot of driving around getting to know the area. We have also been looking at homes for sale and in doing so, have found an interesting little trend. My camera does not do some of these pictures the justice they deserve! If you like the color of blue, we are talking true "OUT HOUSE" blue, do I have a place for you! Joe and I have nicknamed it M.T. blue for "Montana Blue", seriously, it is everywhere!

There are the ALL BLUE houses.....




And then there is blue as an accent, and 2 toned blue







And my personal favorite.....

And if blue isn't your thing, don't worry there is something for you too!

Perhaps something in PINK.....

Montana-itis

Okay so is it me or does it seem like the first 3 months you live somewhere new you can pretty much count on being sick! I am having flashbacks of when I first moved to Kentucky and ended up with Whooping cough! Who knows how I picked that one up, It was awful though!
Sorry, I am going to whine for just a minute.... There is one nice thing about humidity in Kentucky. My sinuses are cracking in half and I feel like my head is stuck in a watermelon here! It has been a long time since I have felt this miserable being sick, (years in fact) and all I have is a COLD! Seriously Moms don't have time to be sick. And when they are life just goes on as normal. There is no napping, no extra hot shower to breath, no one making hot cider etc... sigh. Life goes on with hot dinner on the table, laundry done, toilets sparkling etc. I guess I should be grateful I am still capable of doing all those things, because if I wasn't I would most likely be DEAD!

Big Sky Country

I am pretty sure this is why they call it Big Sky Country! The sky is beautiful. I love how often it changes and I feel like I can see forever.

And here it really is the whole reason we now live in Montana!

We closed on March 31st, and Joe took over April 1st. Dr. Sullivans name will come off in a few months, after the patients have gotten use to the transition.

So far things are going well. It has been quite an adjustment for us learning to run a new business, but think we are getting the hang of it.

Other than that Kaitlyn has adjusted well to school and loves the more laid back environment. She is a totally different person when she gets home after having a recess!

Jenna is bored, she misses her preschool and her friends. We have only been to church once between stake conference and general conference. But I am hoping she will find a little friend soon.

Madelyn is growing like a weed, and talking up a storm. She tries to say and repeat everything. She is starting to sing, it's so cute.

I miss my freezer meals, and feel frazzled most of the time. I think we are getting it together though. I feel like I just gained another household to run. The office has bills to pay, things to clean, errands to run, papers to file etc. We spend most of our evenings going over mile long lists of things we still need to do. But all in all this week has gone much better than last, and I think it will only get better from here! ( I hope)